The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-01-21

Darling away from his side, she felt
the room, returning in few minutes
with a small parcel in her hand.
a. See here, " she said, opening II upon
his knee. Papa had my picture taken
on some cards the other day, and he
gave me this one to do just what l
pleased with. He wrote my name on it
Maude Evelyn Granger
Il will give it to you, and when you
look at it you can think Of your little
friend, and that she wants you to be
good"
But will your mamma let you give
this to me?" asked Ralph with some
misgiving.
"Oh yes! I asked her just now.
told her l wanted to give you something
to mako you feel happy, and she said,
Very well, dear Now you'll have one
friend, won't you?"
Yes" said the young man, taking
her soft little hand in his. And if
should come back again some Of these
days, and tell you that l have been real
good, and not foolish any more, Will you
kiss me again?"
ITO be sure I will ~
At that moment the returning foot
steps Of the lady were heard and Ralph
arose, hat in hand.
u thank you kindly, madam, for
your hospitality" he said.
He pressed little Maudes hand in
close, lingering clasp raised his hat TO
his benefactress, and left the house.
Five years had passed, finding Ralph
Wentworth still working as q common
laborer at the mines.
Every evening when his work wac
ended he would wander on to some Sc
cluded spot. then drawing little pack
age FROM his pocket, gaze long and
earnestly at the pictured face it con
tanned.
Frural. abstcmious, and self-deryipz
ss a hermit. his life appeared TO have 10
1T little to envy. But he had q goal Re
fore hia mental vision OF which tney
know UythGE-a q goal to the attainment
Of which clSr@ dollar Of his hard Learned
wages. every energy Of his life. were
devoted
Although apparently lost to the world
Without, Ralph was not forgotten.
One day q letter came for him; a
thick curlhrous-lool1ing envelope, dir
ectcd in large sprawlinC hand.
II the solitude of his little cell-like
room, ne opened 1t, and his pale cheek
flushed with look that was ecstasy.
Then passed ten years more. -,.,.- r.
The brilliantly lighted parlors of Mrs.
Rcmington's handsome mansion were
filing fast with guests. when the hostess
came forward 10 welcome a new conner
"A lovely girl OF twenty years who was
entering, accompanied by a gentleman,
evidently her father.
Good evening, my dear Mauder' she
exclaimed, with q rapturous little
squeeze of her hand. 4 have delight
ful news for you-and all the other
marriagcablc young ladies who will be
here to-uightT p with & gay laugh.
4 am 80 have among my guests to
night no loss a person than Mr.. Went
worth, that elegant young mani call
him young. for he is only thirtv-ive-.
who has been winning so many lsurels.
Hes q splendid-looking man, they
say. and immensely rich-Owns mining
property. He IS home for short visit,
and I've secured him for tonight. 1
will be sure to secJr~s you an tntroduc-
tion to him"
DO, replied Mazde, smiling. Then
she passed on to another part of the
room.
Half an hour later there was slight
hustle at the door. and n ripple Of ex-
pectancy among the guests.
Maude, who happened to be standing
whore she had view of the entrance
perceived tall elegant gentleman bend
ing over the hand OF Mrs. Remington
At the next moment he raised his
head to glance over the company, and
their eyes met.
,
cross his lacc-a look Of surprise, almost
Eladncss, light up his fine eyes2
Maude was sure she had never met
him before, and yet, as she returned his
gaze for q moment a feeling as of &
half-forgottcn memory came over her.
Twenty minutes later, a. Maude stood
conversing with her partner, Mrs. Rem
ington's voice greeted her ear:
'' MaUde, my love, Mr.. Wentworth
wishes to be introduced TO YOU" and
looking up, she encountered again the
earnest gazc Of thc handsome stranger.
request for the next dance followed
the Introduction; then promenade; and
then, almost before she was aware, BIr.
Wentworth had secured all the olsen
gagged dances on her card.
His conversation. animated varied,
fluent had at the same time q certain
Undcrcurrent OF deep, even intense feel
ing, that lent a strange charm 70 his
most commonplace words. and sent a
thrill to the very heart OF jhC fair girl
It seemed as if there existed kindred
chord between them-a chord lcng
silent, yet living still, and which thrilled
with every vibration Of his voice making
her feel. ere that short evening was
past. as II he had been n friend Of years
"A loved and valued friend-rather than
a stranger whom She was meeting for
the first time.
q.
Oftheir conversation, that Miss Granger
was spending the winter in the city,
being on visit to some relatives: and
he further asked and obtained permission
to call upon her.
He did call, many times and at tlenGth,
one evening, he said in the course Of a
long and earnest conversation:
Miss Granger, ever since our ac-
quaintance began, have been wanting
q al faI
Drawing his chair closer to where she
sat, Ralph Wentworth began tale with
most OF which the reader Is familiar
Then, continuing, he said:
One day there came to that young
man n letter containing the notice of a
bequest OF four thousand pounds from q
distant relative, lately deceased.
The money, with what he had saved
in those five years, completed the pur-
chase Of claim that was the beginning
of his fortune. Step by step ne mounted
the ladder Of life once more, until he
gained commanding wealth, influence,
friends, and, better than sll, a clear and
honorable record.
d" Then he came back to his native city,
to find her who had been his good
angel all those years.
Perhaps she had forgotten the man to
whom her sweet childish sympathy had
been a talisman and blessing, for he
had not even told her his name: but
something whispered to him that he
would find her again-and find her
heart-free.
Maude,' he continued, taking the
hand that trembled in his clasp,
through all those years that innocent
kiss of a warm affectionate heart has
lain pure upon my lips, the solace of
my lonely life. Temp mptations I had
many, but that little face was present
with me always. l could not look into
those pure eyes and SIM
Z" On the day when her little hand
pointed out the way to better life, she
promised that II l came back again. and